Derek Falvey’s Pitch for Hope in Twins Territory

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of © Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

The 2025 season has not gone the way anyone inside Target Field imagined. Injuries, inconsistency, and missed opportunities left the Twins outside of serious contention, and the frustration has been evident among the fan base. 

However, in a recent episode of Inside Twins, Derek Falvey, the president of baseball operations, was asked to give his two-minute pitch to fans on why they should believe that better days are coming. His answers reveal a blueprint for how Minnesota plans to reclaim its position at the top of the AL Central.

Youth Movement
“I think that when I look out at this team and I see a group that's really young, that's still learning, that's still growing, that is going through some pains and moments in time," Falvey said. But I also see a lot of players that are taking those steps forward.”

Falvey’s first point focused on youth, and for good reason. While many veterans on the roster have struggled to stay healthy or consistent, the next wave of Twins talent has been cutting its teeth in the big leagues. That means growing pains, but it also means development. The organization believes this group’s rough patches in 2025 will translate into smoother roads by 2026.

For Minnesota to climb back into contention, those young players will need to show that these lessons are sticking, whether it’s Austin Martin finding his footing, Brooks Lee reaching his full potential, or the pitching depth (Taj Bradley, Mick Abel, etc.) continuing to progress. The losses in 2025 could be the foundation of wins in 2026.

Veterans Finding Consistency
“And I don't see this as a team that maybe is kind of aged out, so to speak, and gotten to the end of the line in their careers," Falvey continued. "I see a lot of guys that are on the front end, that are still climbing, that are still getting better. This month of September has been that opportunity for them.”

One of the most significant differences between the Twins and other clubs hitting reset is that the roster isn’t in decline due to age. Byron Buxton has shown that he is still in his prime. Royce Lewis, Matt Wallner, and others are entering their late 20s, when they should perform at a high level. The rotation is anchored not by veterans at the end of their careers, but by pitchers still working toward their ceiling.

Falvey is banking on the idea that the core has room to grow, rather than being in danger of fading. For a front office that has tried to thread the needle between developing and contending, this is a critical distinction. The Twins clearly believe the team is closer to a rebound than a rebuild.

September baseball has been more about auditions than standings, and Falvey views that as an investment in the future. Giving younger players extended run in meaningful roles (rather than sprinkling them in as depth pieces) sets the stage for a more prepared roster next spring.

The front office knows 2025 tested the patience of fans, but the hope is that those trials accelerate development. Falvey bets that by the time February rolls around, the Twins won’t just be the same group with the same flaws, because they’ll be a more seasoned, battle-tested version of themselves.

The Base of the 2026 Twins
"So I feel really good about the group that we have at the base, and we'll see how the rest of the offseason shakes out going forward," Falvey concluded.

Ultimately, Falvey is selling belief in the foundation, and that’s what every front office must do. The Twins’ base of talent of Buxton, Pablo López, Joe Ryan, Wallner, and a wave of young contributors is enough to dream on. The front office has holes to fill, especially in pitching depth and lineup balance, but they aren’t starting from scratch.

The 2025 season has been frustrating, and fans are justified in feeling disappointed. But Falvey’s message is clear: this isn’t the end of the Twins’ competitive window. The foundation remains strong, the youth is still climbing, and with a healthier roster and a few strategic moves this winter, Minnesota has a path back to October baseball in 2026.

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Do you believe in Falvey’s message? Leave a comment and start the discussion. 

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[ziggy]

Hope is all he has to has to sell right now.

The Twins are a bottom 5 team right now.

Every team has a Cullpepper, a Jenkins and many hopefuls in the minors 'just waiting in the wings'.

But only the Twins have a Gasper and Davis battery on the roster. 

[KirbyDome89]

[Patzky]

So (heh heh) what do you mean to do with Pablooooo.. 🤌

[The Great Hambino]

That was not an effective sales pitch

[Sjoski]

"The foundation remains strong"???

If you compare the 1986 team that turned it around to win a World Series with the 2025 team!??

From the :

 A) Players: Puckett, Gaetti, Hrbek, Gagne, Viola,  Blyleven, etc, etc vs Buxton, Lewis,  Lee,  Pablo, Ryan, etc

B) Front Office:  Andy MacPhail vs Falvey

C) Manager: TK vs Rocco 

I see little to no potential for a 1987 like turn around for the Minnesota Twins in 2026. 

 

[Doctor Gast]

LOL! How can he believe that anyone falls for that BS anymore, besides the Pohlads? Falvey has failed on so many levels. They can't develop, have terrible philosophy, terrible player evaluation in all aspects (like in trades, needs & position players), can't initiate an essential trade, say one thing, do another, so players have no idea what they are doing, that plus not being able to put together a competitive team, the club culture is bad. 

There is no way they can put together a competitive team in '26 or anytime soon. There is no hope as long as he is at the helm. Only when they change management can we start to have hope, 

[jorgenswest]

I listened and a base of Buxton, Lopez and Ryan is encouraging.

[Maybebaby]

Wait just a doggone minute....youngsters auditioning in September??? Génesis Cabrera, Thomas Hatch, Michael Tonkin, Ryan Fitzgerald, Mickey Gasper. James Outman, DaShawn Keirsey Jr. ,Cody Laweryson these young guys???  Who's Falldown Falvey kidding in baseball terms these guys are pretty much older than dirt. I see no future for any of these why not see what their top 4/5 prospects can do for the last 3 or 4 weeks of a lost season.  They have to be thinking...."I must not be any better than them".  Hit the road (Derek) Jack.🎶 ...and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more!🎶

Quote

 

 

[The Great Hambino]

20 minutes ago, jorgenswest said:

I listened and a base of Buxton, Lopez and Ryan is encouraging.

Keep fighting the good fight, jorgenswest.  I hope you're right, for all our sakes, but especially yours

But I gotta ask: did he even attempt to address the bullpen situation?

[Linus]

This is more BS from an organization that is laughably inept at public relations. If Falvey actually believes what he said he needs to resign right now because his player evaluation skills aren’t suitable for being a MLB front office executive. 

[jorgenswest]

55 minutes ago, The Great Hambino said:

Keep fighting the good fight, jorgenswest.  I hope you're right, for all our sakes, but especially yours

But I gotta ask: did he even attempt to address the bullpen situation?

Indirectly when asked about Jax and Ober as they came up and transitioning or not to relievers. He then talked about how well Prielipp threw the ball and that he could help that group. I am uncertain whether the “group” is the pitching staff or the bullpen.

[Woof Bronzer]

Was there a pitch in that empty corporate babble?  All I heard was:  Derek Falvey thinks fans are stupid.  

[mikelink45]

And because we believe in Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, and the Easter Bunny we believe in Falvey!

[tony&rodney]

Wow is about all one should say. 

Did Falvey not watch the match up with the White Sox, a much younger and less experienced team with top guys in the minors?

Did Falvey miss the Athletics series? 

Did he miss the Nationals series?

Did Falvey not watch the Twins play against Colorado?

Lastly, does he not see how easily the Guardians younger team dominates the Twins?

If the current roster is left alone. ...... just wow.

[Paul Walerius]

12 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

LOL! How can he believe that anyone falls for that BS anymore, besides the Pohlads? Falvey has failed on so many levels. They can't develop, have terrible philosophy, terrible player evaluation in all aspects (like in trades, needs & position players), can't initiate an essential trade, say one thing, do another, so players have no idea what they are doing, that plus not being able to put together a competitive team, the club culture is bad. 

There is no way they can put together a competitive team in '26 or anytime soon. There is no hope as long as he is at the helm. Only when they change management can we start to have hope, 

They have struggled to develop position players.  Pitching however they have done very well.  Zebby, SWR, Festa, Ohl, Adams.  The List goes on.   The key will be getting them into the right positions, ie. Starting or pen

 

[Riverbrian]

I didn't listen to it. I just read this synopsis. 

Here's the deal. 

These things are typically just PR food for the masses.. Just sound bite explanations in what probably requires a 1,000 page document explanation.

However, If he is feeding the narrative of growing pains... he isn't helping. 

From a PR standpoint... that is what has to change. The narrative that links youth and growing pains together. Youth/Growing Pains is stuck inside the majority of fans like Peanut Butter and Jelly and it may require dynamite to get it out. 

Is Luke Keaschall going through growing pains? Is Cleveland going through growing pains? Is Milwaukee? You are going through a youth movement right now. Are growing pains what you want to promote to run along side of this movement? Is that the message? What about the struggling vet... the below average vet. Are those growing pains? It's the same result... but the growing pains stigma isn't attached to them. 

Again... I didn't listen to it but I'm hoping that "Growing Pains" is coming from blogger interpretation and not Falvey himself... because if he believes "Growing Pains"... it will just lengthen this thing out because he will just constantly look for ways to avoid it.

By saying Growing pains... the impression that is left in the souls of the audiences is... "This rebuild is going to take forever. That's what people think when they hear growing pains. They think... I'll see you in five years and that is complete ********.

Players can struggle in April and be doing quite well in June. He just has to commit to youth... not just one ute... but all utes. Commit to players who will back next year instead of giving full 100% commitment to the players who won't be back. They have consistently allowed vets to work through their equivalent of Growing Pains. 

Choose youth over the cheap one year vet. This is something that they haven't done in many years and it's created this rebuild, reset or rewhatever this is. The ignoring or lack of production from the farm is why we have a lot of lottery balls next draft. 

There are enough examples around the league of teams thriving with youth. Growing pains have been dealt with quickly and efficiently. There are enough of examples of pre-arb players performing in the same range from bad to good as the vets. 

Commit to youth and FIX YOUR DAMN DEVELOPMENT NOW and this rebuild will not take as long as we fear. Talk about growing pains... selling growing pains. We will see you in 5 years. 

 

[Permanent Twins Fan]

20 hours ago, jorgenswest said:

I listened and a base of Buxton, Lopez and Ryan is encouraging.

Did Falvey actually mention Lopez and Ryan, or was it inferred? If he did mention them it could mean that the Twins might not be actively looking to trade them this offseason.

[LA Vikes Fan]

By the way, Brock Stewart is undergoing season ending shoulder debridement surgery. I think he’s pitched 4 innings for the Dodgers. Kind of explains why we don’t get much for him. More importantly, it now seems unlikely that he’ll be on the 40 man there so he might be available for next year. 

[LA Vikes Fan]

1 hour ago, Riverbrian said:

I didn't listen to it. I just read this synopsis. 

Here's the deal. 

These things are typically just PR food for the masses.. Just sound bite explanations in what probably requires a 1,000 page document explanation.

However, If he is feeding the narrative of growing pains... he isn't helping. 

From a PR standpoint... that is what has to change. The narrative that links youth and growing pains together. Youth/Growing Pains is stuck inside the majority of fans like Peanut Butter and Jelly and it may require dynamite to get it out. 

Is Luke Keaschall going through growing pains? Is Cleveland going through growing pains? Is Milwaukee? You are going through a youth movement right now. Are growing pains what you want to promote to run along side of this movement? Is that the message? What about the struggling vet... the below average vet. Are those growing pains? It's the same result... but the growing pains stigma isn't attached to them. 

Again... I didn't listen to it but I'm hoping that "Growing Pains" is coming from blogger interpretation and not Falvey himself... because if he believes "Growing Pains"... it will just lengthen this thing out because he will just constantly look for ways to avoid it.

By saying Growing pains... the impression that is left in the souls of the audiences is... "This rebuild is going to take forever. That's what people think when they hear growing pains. They think... I'll see you in five years and that is complete ********.

Players can struggle in April and be doing quite well in June. He just has to commit to youth... not just one ute... but all utes. Commit to players who will back next year instead of giving full 100% commitment to the players who won't be back. They have consistently allowed vets to work through their equivalent of Growing Pains. 

Choose youth over the cheap one year vet. This is something that they haven't done in many years and it's created this rebuild, reset or rewhatever this is. The ignoring or lack of production from the farm is why we have a lot of lottery balls next draft. 

There are enough examples around the league of teams thriving with youth. Growing pains have been dealt with quickly and efficiently. There are enough of examples of pre-arb players performing in the same range from bad to good as the vets. 

Commit to youth and FIX YOUR DAMN DEVELOPMENT NOW and this rebuild will not take as long as we fear. Talk about growing pains... selling growing pains. We will see you in 5 years. 

 

I think that’s at least starting to happen. I expect Keaschall, Lee, Martin, and Roden to all be in the bigs most of next year. Fedko, Ohl, Adams, and Matthews all have a real chance to do the same and I expect Jenkins and Culpeper to be up by July. Rodriguez and Gonzalez also have a shot. I wish we had more particularly at SS and C. 

[T.O.]

21 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

LOL! How can he believe that anyone falls for that BS anymore, besides the Pohlads? Falvey has failed on so many levels. They can't develop, have terrible philosophy, terrible player evaluation in all aspects (like in trades, needs & position players), can't initiate an essential trade, say one thing, do another, so players have no idea what they are doing, that plus not being able to put together a competitive team, the club culture is bad. 

There is no way they can put together a competitive team in '26 or anytime soon. There is no hope as long as he is at the helm. Only when they change management can we start to have hope, 

THAT'S IT....

[Linus]

8 hours ago, Paul Walerius said:

They have struggled to develop position players.  Pitching however they have done very well.  Zebby, SWR, Festa, Ohl, Adams.  The List goes on.   The key will be getting them into the right positions, ie. Starting or pen

 

You do realize that all the pitchers you listed except SWR have not had any sustained success in the big leagues, right?

[D.C Twins]

"The foundation remains strong, the youth is still climbing, and with a healthier roster and a few strategic moves this winter, Minnesota has a path back to October baseball in 2026."

 

[D.C Twins]

15 minutes ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

By the way, Brock Stewart is undergoing season ending shoulder debridement surgery. I think he’s pitched 4 innings for the Dodgers. Kind of explains why we don’t get much for him. More importantly, it now seems unlikely that he’ll be on the 40 man there so he might be available for next year. 

I don't mind that we didn't get much from him... but I have minded Outman playing in the majors.... what a mess... 

[Nshore]

Drew MacPhail is Director of Player Development.  He should be interrogated and made to explain himself.

On the other hand, maybe he should be promoted to replace Falvey, with the desperate hope that the MacPhail winner genes will lead to success, like on a stud farm.

[h2oface]

Is 24-26 young? Still learning?  Making mental mistakes? Need developed still? If they haven’t figured the mental part out by now, what was all that baseball about all those 10 to 15 or more years for?

[1985Fan]

I’m with everyone here. Falvey is not the guy to engineer this rebuild project. The first and basic thing that needs to be fixed is the defense. He seems to have no regard for fundamentals, including basic defensive play. Bad defense, bad base running, poor hitting approach, and on and on. And Falvey wants fans to get excited about more of the same?! I can’t believe that the Pohlads will tolerate him and Baldelli after ticket sales crater. 

[Hubie29]

9 hours ago, Paul Walerius said:

They have struggled to develop position players.  Pitching however they have done very well.  Zebby, SWR, Festa, Ohl, Adams.  The List goes on.   The key will be getting them into the right positions, ie. Starting or pen

 

If these guys are pitching in AA, yes they might have success.. Not major league quality and not really a close call.

[Hubie29]

32 minutes ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

By the way, Brock Stewart is undergoing season ending shoulder debridement surgery. I think he’s pitched 4 innings for the Dodgers. Kind of explains why we don’t get much for him. More importantly, it now seems unlikely that he’ll be on the 40 man there so he might be available for next year. 

Available for what?

[old nurse]

Somewhere in a back closet was Terry Ryan’s playbook on building fan interest in a franchise. Falvey must have recently found it.  There are a lot of torn out pages., there are only a few lines now in the book.  Paul Molitor is the only player fans have come out to see. Don’t spend the old man’s money, make him a profit.  Lastly, when all else fails, try a youth movement.  Falvey  must have found it a little over a year ago. He shared it with Jim Pohlad. Falvey is now trying the last bit of advice. Jim is now enforcing the second bit of advice.